Monday, January 20, 2014

Intoxicated Male Points Gun At Police Officers

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On
01/18/2014 at 2117 hours, Mesa patrol officers respond to the 2000 block of E. Des Moines in
an attempt to locate a hit & run suspect in reference to a vehicle
collision at Stapley and Southern. When the homeowner, 49 year-old Robert Neilson, answered
the door, officers ask him if the hit & run suspect is there. Neilson tells
the officers he is there, then takes a step back and pulls a handgun from his
waistband, points it at the officers and says “Do you want this?”

Due to being
in such close proximity to Neilson, the officers first reaction was to grab the
handgun and turn it away from themselves. A physical struggle for the handgun ensued
and an officer was able to get it away from Neilson. The officers took Neilson
to the ground, but he continued to physically struggle with the officers. At
one point, Neilson was reaching for the handgun which was now on the ground.
The officers were eventually able to take Neilson into custody. Robert Neilson was
examined / treated at the scene by Mesa Fire paramedics for injuries. Neilson
was transported to Banner Desert hospital for further treatment / medical
clearance and his level of alcohol intoxication.

One of the officers received
minor abrasions to his knees during the struggle. Neilson was booked on two
counts of Aggravated Assault on Law enforcement and one count of Resisting
Arrest. This was a very dangerous situation that could have ended tragically different
for all involved, had it not been for the actions of our officers.